About this project

IMPACT Artist Project: Metal Clay arts building and outreach

$25,565

pledged of $25,000 goal

266

backers

The mission of the IMPACT Artist Project: International Metal Clay Project Advancing Creativity and Talent encompasses personal growth, community building, and outreach. We facilitate the sharing and collaboration between Hobbyist, Artist, Teacher, and Business. IMPACT's philosophy stems from a generous attitude of giving and sharing which is overtly present in the Metal Clay arts community. We have developed a “team-like” program to advance and strengthen the creativity and talent of its artists, and support healthy thriving businesses within our International Metal Clay Community.

Why IMPACT?

The IMPACT Artist Project was developed for one reason only, and that is to serve, grow, and enhance the people engaged in the Metal Clay Arts. We help you to facilitate your career advancement, your talent, your business, your teaching opportunities, and so much more through a creative series of resources and programs designed to allow our members to thrive.

How are we going to do this?

By maintaining, nurturing, and growing the existing Metal Clay base, by stimulating personal growth, community
building, and outreach efforts.

By providing and growing a resource hub of information to keep learning accessible, advance creativity
and talent, and facilitate connections to educational opportunities on the IMPACT Artist Project website and
IMPACT Artist Project HUB.

By introducing and fostering newcomers in the field, and identify new areas of growth and interest in Metal Clay, by
exploring crossover arts opportunities and new demographics.

By encouraging and supporting existing Guilds and new Guild development across the globe.

By facilitating the creation of new jobs and opportunities for Artists, Teachers, and Businesses.

By providing activities and activity support to facilitate personal growth, connections to other artist opportunities, and resources designed to encourage and maintain new relationships for members at all skill levels.

YOU are the focus, our IMPACT members always have someone to trouble shoot their problems with; our guilds have more active and involved members; our teachers are working; our teaching facilities have a waiting list; our conferences are filled; our businesses are growing and thriving; and together we are benefiting. These are just some of the many areas our program works toward.

Enthusiasm can spread like wildfire and nothing spreads enthusiasm like seeing the wonderful transformation of Metal Clay (a moldable metal) into a shiny, beautiful, wearable piece of jewelry, art, or functional item. IMPACT has a robust schedule of activities through a Rewards Points Program that helps turn hard work and dedication into Sponsor Gift Certificates which can be spent at an IMPACT Sponsor's shop. Our activities are supported by articles with tips and suggestions on how to have a fulfilling, successful experience for maximum IMPACT. The guidelines provide support before, during, and after an experience, so the IMPACT Team is always there to help.

IMPACT Activities are carefully designed to further one's career AND strengthen the Metal Clay community by helping make valuable connections between teachers, businesses, newcomers to Metal Clay, studio artists, mentors, and guilds. The suggested activities are fun and the best part is most people are doing them already.

Built into the incentive program are tools of the trade, such as Metal Clay, books, and hand tools. Here’s how it works. Each activity has a points reward value. Think of the Reward Points value as equal to gift certificate dollars that can be spent at one of the IMPACT Sponsor’s stores. These amazing rewards help stimulate Metal Clay users, old and new, to advance their creativity, talent, and career development.

It’s these incentives that say to the artists, “You’re doing good, your growing, keep going,” and allow them to be proactive in their own career. When was the last time you actually pat yourself on the back for working hard? Well, IMPACT does that for you.

Additionally, for every 50 IMPACT Reward Points earned, a member is given a Limited Edition Sterling Silver Metal Clay Medallion, designed by renowned artists in the Jewelry and Metal Clay field.

Long story short, by backing the IMPACT Artist Project you are supporting a wonderful community and it's growth with a rewarding program that aims to grow the scope of the Metal Clay world to all of our wildest dreams!

What is IMPACT Membership?

About Holly Gage

Holly has been an artist for 30 years with a primary focus on jewelry for the last 15. Metal Clay has become the best medium for allowing her to express herself. Not only is Holly an artist, but a teacher, mentor and speaker in the field. Recently received a 2015 Saul Bell Design Award, that gave her the final nudge she needed to help launch the IMPACT Artist Project. Her hope is to use IMPACT as a way to open up opportunities for others as it has for herself and so many others, allowing them to have full careers as artists, store owners, teachers, authors, and so much more.

About Jan Waals

Jan Waals from an early age has been surrounded by various mediums of art and artists who have encouraged and fostered his creativity.
Jan has extensive experience in teaching, designing, managing and innovating through digital art, sculpting and much more. Most recently he has been working under the apprenticeship of Holly Gage developing his own techniques and of course planning the launch of the IMPACT Artist Project.

About Christopher Gage

Chris has been a business owner and entrepreneur for the past 20 years. He has been a partner in publishing, and jewelry retail businesses, and also co-founded a community support non-profit. He has most recently worked in the culinary field in collaboration with Holly providing gourmet lunches, dinners, and dinner parties for her classes and retreats. Chris has stated how much he enjoys the Metal Clay community, and looks forward to working with them more closely through IMPACT.

What if we raise more than our goal?

Well, that would be fantastic! Our kickstarter campaign goal ($25,000) covers the bare minimum we need to begin building our community. Additional funds would be used towards realizing specific goals within four areas IMPACT has identified as needs: 1) Growth - to help support our guilds, conferences, teachers, students, and businesses; 2) Education - seek new avenues for learning in schools and universities, and obtain accreditation for Metal Clay at the college level; 3) Outreach - maintain a vibrant resource website for our programs; and 4) Leadership - building roles through committees, education, resources, guild development, and internationally, and into new demographics.

This is an exclusive collectable IMPACT Artist Medallion available through this Kickstarter Campaign. Designed to symbolize the founding of the IMPACT Artist Project and capture the essence of collaboration and growth between Artists, Teachers, and Businesses around the world and across generations.

Add $185 to your Pledge and receive the Exclusive Founder's Medallion

*Final Photos Coming soon!

Concept Image:

Without Your Support We Would Not Be Able To:

• Run and maintain the website
• Get someone to program the forum • Program a self guided teacher submission form for classes and a gallery section
• Collect and organize information for our website
• Communicate and correspond to the various fractions of the community• Casting the medallions we need to give out for free
• Have people monitor and give out the gift certificates and rewards• Creating Signage, Brochures and Information for the program to inform potential users of Metal Clay and our inclusive programs to get them hooked
• Acquiring Metal Clay and Supplies for the Demos
Go Schools and Colleges who will need Materials and Supplies
• Achieving Accreditation at the College/University Level • Buying into a Webinar Program, having Guest Speakers and Hosting Free Educational Sessions for our Members
• Fund Travel, Attend Conferences, Demonstrate Metal Clay, and Reach Out to New Demographics (we are not selling anything, just promoting the idea of metal clay)

The IMPACT Artist Project is meant to be an organically evolving program, where we will be communicating, collaborating, and connecting with the Metal Clay community to continue adapting and growing our programs to match the needs of as many members as possible. Our main goal and driving passion is to see the Metal Clay industry and community grow as we reach out to new demographics that have never seen or heard of this wonderful material. As new people enter into the community we hope to see fresh ideas, new styles and limitless possibilities.

Risks and challenges

Ultimately there is unseen risk involved in anything, but we feel it is more of a risk to NOT launch this community project, as there has been an outcry for this type of community building and outreach program among existing artists, teachers, and businesses. We are extremely passionate about this project, so simply putting it on the shelf is not an option! As a non profit we can satisfy the desire and need for growth and support in a brand-neutral and non-bias environment. Acquiring a membership is our first real challenge, but since a clear desire has been steadily been requested over the last 3 years, we are confident with the help of our backers and future members, the Metal Clay Artist Community will continue to grow and thrive.

Inspired by historical buildings and fabulous patterned tin ceiling tiles, Paula walks you step by step through a pendant of her own design. Those lovely tin tiles inspired the designs on the texture mats, but rubber stamps and texture mats may be purchased for your pendant at craft stores. By following my instructions in this tutorial, you will
be excited to have successfully completed a pendant in less than 3 hours. By following her PDF instructions in this tutorial, you will be excited to have successfully completed a pendant in less than 3 hours. Materials list included, and PDF to arrive in your e-mail box.
Paula loves teaching and has received Art Clay World Senior Level teaching certifications for both Art Clay Silver and Mokume Gane techniques, as well as a PMC (Precious Metal Clay) Certification, and has been apprenticing with Holly Gage for the past several years.
*Private instruction not included.

Each donor with be listed on our Donor Page Thanking them for being a founding supporter at http://www.ImpactArtistProject.org

In addition for your support you will receive:
Try your hand at Metal Clay with 10g of Prometheus® Clay along with instructions for use, as well as access to a library of videos and resources for making your own creation.

Each donor with be listed on our Donor Page Thanking them for being a founding supporter at http://www.ImpactArtistProject.org

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $35 or more
About $35

A great big thank you for making an IMPACT!

In addition for your support you will receive:
- One-year Basic IMPACT membership.
- Digital backer icon for your member profile on our IMPACT Artist Project HUB
- "Modern Hawaiian Petroglyph Pendant," by Holly Gage.
Should have some experience with Metal Clay, but designed for all levels of ability.

Petroglyphs or primitive rock carvings, can be found all over the islands of Hawaii. The symbols tell the stories of the ancient Hawaiian people. Presented is a modern take on the traditional Hawaiian petroglyph. This fun, mixed-media project designed by Holly Gage and Gordon Uyehara, will include sea washed sand, base and silver Metal Clays, and pearls. You will learn step by step how to make the beautiful framework in silver clay, capture the hardened sand, and inlay your base metal petroglyph symbol. Cleverly hidden wires allow you to decorate your framework with pearls.
Materials list included, and PDF to arrive in your e-mail box.
Holly Gage is a 2015 Saul Bell Design winner, and internationally published contemporary jewelry artist. Holly brings her innovation, creativity, and gift of helping others find their artistic voice through classes, mentoring
programs, master workshops, and conference
speaking.
*Private instruction not included.

Each donor with be listed on our Donor Page Thanking them for being a founding supporter at http://www.ImpactArtistProject.org

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $35 or more
About $35

A great big thank you for making an IMPACT!

In addition for your support you will receive:
- One-year Basic IMPACT membership!
- Digital backer icon for your member profile on our IMPACT Artist Project HUB
- IMPACT Artist Project work apron where you can proudly display your support. Three open divided pockets, extra-long waist ties and an adjustable neck strap, and a one-size-fits-most customizable fit. Made of durable 65/35 polyester/cotton.

Each donor with be listed on our Donor Page Thanking them for being a founding supporter at http://www.ImpactArtistProject.org

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $75 or more
About $75

A great big thank you for making an IMPACT!

In addition for your support you will receive:
- One year Artist or Teacher Level IMPACT Membership
- Digital backer icon for your member profile on our IMPACT Artist Project HUB
- IMPACT Artist Project work apron where you can proudly display your support. Three open divided pockets, extra-long waist ties and an adjustable neck strap, and a one-size-fits-most customizable fit. Made of durable 65/35 polyester/cotton.

Each donor with be listed on our Donor Page Thanking them for being a founding supporter at http://www.ImpactArtistProject.org

Inspired by historical buildings and fabulous patterned tin ceiling tiles, Paula walks you step by step through a pendant of her own design. Those lovely tin tiles inspired the designs on the texture mats, but rubber stamps
and texture mats may be purchased for your pendant at craft stores. By following my instructions in this tutorial, you will
be excited to have successfully completed a pendant in less than 3 hours. By following her PDF instructions in this tutorial, you will be excited to have successfully completed a pendant in less than 3 hours. Materials list included, and PDF to arrive in your e-mail box.Paula loves teaching and has received Art Clay World Senior Level teaching certifications for both Art Clay Silver and Mokume Gane techniques, as well as a PMC (Precious Metal Clay) Certification, and has been apprenticing with Holly Gage for the past several years.
*Private instruction not included.

Each donor with be listed on our Donor Page Thanking them for being a founding supporter at http://www.ImpactArtistProject.org

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $150 or more
About $150

A great big thank you for making an IMPACT!

In addition for your support you will receive:
- One year Artist or Teacher Level IMPACT Membership
- Digital backer icon for your member profile on our IMPACT Artist Project HUB
- Try your hand at Base Metal Clays with a variety package. These clays are strong and durable and useful for jewelry, sculpture, vessels, or whatever your creativity can think up. Basic working instructions and tutorials for each included.
Package will contain 400g of 2 or more of the following clay varieties: Copper, Bronze or Steel.

Each donor with be listed on our Donor Page Thanking them for being a founding supporter at http://www.ImpactArtistProject.org

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $150 or more
About $150

A great big thank you for making an IMPACT!

In addition for your support you will receive:
- One year Artist or Teacher Level IMPACT Membership
- Digital backer icon for your member profile on our IMPACT Artist Project HUB
- Try your hand at Metal Adventures WHITE COPPRclay, FASTfire BRONZclay, COPPRclay, BRONZclay
with a variety package. These clays are strong and durable and useful for jewelry, sculpture, vessels, or whatever your creativity can think up. Basic working instructions and tutorials for each included.
Package will contain 1 of each, 400g

Each donor with be listed on our Donor Page Thanking them for being a founding supporter at http://www.ImpactArtistProject.org

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $170 or more
About $170

A great big thank you for making an IMPACT!

In addition for your support you will receive:
- One-year Basic IMPACT membership.
- Digital backer icon for your member profile on our IMPACT Artist Project HUB
- A Gift Certificates for an Introductory Class "Silver Jewelry using Metal Clay" at Artgentum Studio in Albuquerque NM. Students will work with 20g of Silver Art Clay at a 10am-5pm class.
*Certificate will be only good for Kickstarter class and can't be exchanged for cash, other products, tools or items.

You will have expert instruction from qualified Art Clay teachers in a brand new, well equipped studio.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $200 or more
About $200

A great big thank you for making an IMPACT!
In addition for your support you will receive:
- One-year Artist or Teacher IMPACT membership.
- Digital backer icon for your member profile on our IMPACT Artist Project HUB
- Explorations in Metal Clay, 8-hour days in-studio with... Loretta Hackman! The choice is yours from beginner classes in silver clay, to designing gifts for the holidays, to a stone-setting seminar. Class includes use of studio tools and equipment, instruction, handouts, and up to 20-grams of Art Clay Silver, Sugar Land, Texas
*Only good for Kickstarter class and can't be exchanged for cash, other products, tools or items.
You will have expert instruction from qualified Art Clay instructor and talented artist Loretta Hackman

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $225 or more
About $225

A great big thank you for making an IMPACT!

In addition for your support you will receive:
- One year Artist, Teacher, or Business Level IMPACT Membership
- Digital backer icon for your member profile on our IMPACT Artist Project HUB
- IMPACT Artist Project work apron where you can proudly display your support. Three open divided pockets, extra-long waist ties and an adjustable neck strap, and a one-size-fits-most customizable fit. Made of durable 65/35 polyester/cotton.

Each donor with be listed on our Donor Page Thanking them for being a founding supporter at http://www.ImpactArtistProject.org

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $400 or more
About $400

A great big thank you for your extremely generous support and vision in seeing the Metal Clay arts community potential and making a huge IMPACT!

In addition for your support you will receive:
- One year Artist, Teacher, or Business Level IMPACT Membership
- Digital backer icon for your member profile on our IMPACT Artist Project HUB
- IMPACT Artist Project work apron where you can proudly display your support. Three open divided pockets, extra-long waist ties and an adjustable neck strap, and a one-size-fits-most customizable fit. Made of durable 65/35 polyester/cotton.
- An "I supported the IMPACT Artist Project" Donor badge to display on your website.

Each donor will be listed on our Donor Page Thanking them for being a founding supporter at http://www.ImpactArtistProject.org

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $500 or more
About $500

A great big thank you for making an IMPACT!

In addition for your support you will receive:
- One year Artist, Teacher, or Business Level IMPACT Membership
- Digital backer icon for your member profile on our IMPACT Artist Project HUB
- Hyperdrive Glow Workshop with Jan Waals
6 week, one hour Metal Clay Skype,
intermediate to Advanced skills needed.
This class will embark on Jan's distinctive style of futuristic silver Metal Clay work and glow resins. You will learn process, design, construction, and how to work with glow resins. A materials list and PDF of instructions are included.
Jan's background in environmental game design, and work with Metal Clay make this class fun and exciting.
- IMPACT Artist Project work apron where you can proudly display your support. Three open divided pockets, extra-long waist ties and an adjustable neck strap, and a one-size-fits-most customizable fit. Made of durable 65/35 polyester/cotton.

Each donor with be listed on our Donor Page Thanking them for being a founding supporter at http://www.ImpactArtistProject.org

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $500 or more
About $500

A great big thank you for making an IMPACT!

In addition for your support you will receive:
- One year Artist, Teacher, or Business Level IMPACT Membership
- Digital backer icon for your member profile on our IMPACT Artist Project HUB
- One day Farm to Table personal cooking class with Christopher Gage (travel not included). Metal Clay folks know Chris' gourmet cooking from class with Holly Gage, now spend a day learning his cooking style and love for cooking. Class includes trip to farmers market, farm to table theory, meal preparation, with a 4 course meal as the finale enjoying the fruits of your labor. Limit 6 to the class.
- IMPACT Artist Project work apron where you can proudly display your support. Three open divided pockets, extra-long waist ties and an adjustable neck strap, and a one-size-fits-most customizable fit. Made of durable 65/35 polyester/cotton.

Each donor with be listed on our Donor Page Thanking them for being a founding supporter at http://www.ImpactArtistProject.org

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $1,000 or more
About $1,000

A great big thank you for your extremely generous support and vision in seeing the Metal Clay arts community potential and making a huge IMPACT!

In addition for your support you will receive:
- One year Artist, Teacher, or Business Level IMPACT Membership
- Digital backer icon for your member profile on our IMPACT Artist Project HUB
- IMPACT Artist Project work apron where you can proudly display your support. Three open divided pockets, extra-long waist ties and an adjustable neck strap, and a one-size-fits-most customizable fit. Made of durable 65/35 polyester/cotton.
- An "I supported the IMPACT Artist Project" Donor badge to display on your website.

Each donor with be listed on our Donor Page Thanking them for being a founding supporter at http://www.ImpactArtistProject.org

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $2,000 or more
About $2,000

A great big thank you for making an IMPACT!
In addition for your support you will receive:
- One year Artist, Teacher, or Business Level IMPACT Membership
- Digital backer icon for your member profile on our IMPACT Artist Project HUB
- Private 2 day workshop with Holly Gage and catered gourmet lunches by Christopher Gage (travel not included)
Newcomers to Advanced.
Choice 1 of 14 signature classes. Each class includes, inspiration, design and technical skills, and personal attention. (View choices: at http://www.hollygage.com/#!class-options/c1loo)
A handout and 25g of Silver Metal Clay included. All tools available for student use.
Gourmet lunches will include entree, side, drink and dessert customized to the students dietary needs.
Holly Gage is a 2015 Saul Bell Design winner, and internationally published contemporary jewelry artist. Holly brings her innovation, creativity, and gift of helping others find their artistic voice through classes, mentoring
programs, master workshops, and conference
speaking.
Chris is an accomplished chef and has been traveling with Holly catering lunches and dinner parties for her classes.

- IMPACT Artist Project work apron where you can proudly display your support. Three open divided pockets, extra-long waist ties and an adjustable neck strap, and a one-size-fits-most customizable fit. Made of durable 65/35 polyester/cotton.

Each donor will be listed on our Donor Page Thanking them for being a founding supporter at http://www.ImpactArtistProject.org

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $5,000 or more
About $5,000

A great big thank you for your extremely generous support and vision in seeing the Metal Clay arts community potential and making a huge IMPACT!

In addition for your support you will receive:
- One year Artist, Teacher, or Business Level IMPACT Membership
- Digital backer icon for your member profile on our IMPACT Artist Project HUB
- IMPACT Artist Project work apron where you can proudly display your support. Three open divided pockets, extra-long waist ties and an adjustable neck strap, and a one-size-fits-most customizable fit. Made of durable 65/35 polyester/cotton.
- An "I supported the IMPACT Artist Project" Donor badge to display on your website.

Each donor will be listed on our Donor Page Thanking them for being a founding supporter at http://www.ImpactArtistProject.org

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $10,000
About $10,000

A great big thank you for your extremely generous support and vision in seeing the Metal Clay arts community potential and making a huge IMPACT!

In addition for your support you will receive:
- One year Artist, Teacher, or Business Level IMPACT Membership
- Digital backer icon for your member profile on our IMPACT Artist Project HUB
- IMPACT Artist Project work apron where you can proudly display your support. Three open divided pockets, extra-long waist ties and an adjustable neck strap, and a one-size-fits-most customizable fit. Made of durable 65/35 polyester/cotton.
- An "I supported the IMPACT Artist Project" Donor badge to display on your website.

Each donor will be listed on our Donor Page Thanking them for being a founding supporter at http://www.ImpactArtistProject.org